Tire Vulcanizing Method with Preheated Rigid Core

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing tire vulcanizing method is inefficient due to prolonged heating and cooling times, leading to increased cycle times and potential tire deterioration, as the rigid core and vulcanizing mold have temperature differences that require extensive heating and cooling periods.

Innovation Solution

A tire vulcanizing method that includes preheating the rigid core using a high-temperature fluid before vulcanization and cooling the vulcanized tire using a low-temperature fluid after vulcanization, both performed using dedicated devices adjacent to the vulcanizing mold, to reduce temperature differences and optimize processing times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the rigid core is heated during the vulcanizing step, then the green tire can be vulcanized, but the heating time becomes excessively long due to the temperature difference between the vulcanizing mold and the rigid core

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverigid core temperatureVSAvoidheating time
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid core is preheated to a predetermined temperature before being placed in the vulcanizing mold. This preliminary heating action reduces the temperature difference between the rigid core and the vulcanizing mold, thereby significantly reducing the heating time required during the vulcanizing step while ensuring complete vulcanization of the green tire.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Temperature

If the rigid core is cooled during the cooling step, then the vulcanized tire can be removed from the mold, but the cooling time becomes excessively long due to the heat influence from the vulcanizing mold

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverigid core temperatureVSAvoidcooling time
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid core is pre-cooled to a predetermined temperature before being placed in the vulcanizing mold. This preliminary cooling action reduces the initial heat influence from the rigid core, and combined with cooling the vulcanizing mold itself, significantly reduces the cooling time required after vulcanization while preventing tire deterioration from excessive heat exposure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A temperature control medium is introduced as an intermediary between the rigid core and the external environment. This medium facilitates more efficient heat transfer during both heating and cooling operations, reducing the time required for temperature adjustments while maintaining precise thermal control to prevent tire damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the vulcanizing mold is occupied for extended heating and cooling periods, then the rigid core can be properly processed, but the production cycle time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevulcanization qualityVSAvoidproduction cycle rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Both the rigid core and the vulcanizing mold undergo preliminary temperature adjustments before the actual vulcanization process begins. The rigid core is preheated and the mold is pre-cooled in advance, so that when vulcanization starts, the temperature difference is minimized. This allows the vulcanization step to complete faster while maintaining quality standards, thereby reducing the overall production cycle time and increasing productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method significantly reduces the heating and cooling times of the rigid core and vulcanized tire, thereby efficiently vulcanizing the green tire and minimizing cycle time, while preventing tire deterioration from excessive heat exposure.

Implementation Method 1

heating the rigid core by circulating the high temperature fluid in the chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal convection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

cooling the rigid core by circulating the low temperature fluid in the chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal convection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2905115B1Tire vulcanizing method and tire manufacturing method
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP2905115B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2905115B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2905115B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The purpose of the present invention is to efficiently vulcanize a green tire. This tire vulcanizing method and tire manufacturing method for vulcanizing a green tire 2A formed on an outer surface 11s of a rigid core by putting in a vulcanizing mold together with the rigid core 3A. The method comprising: a preheating step S1 of preheating the rigid core accompanied by green tire 3A using a preheating device 5 arranged adjacent to the vulcanizing mold 4 prior to vulcanizing; a vulcanizing step S3 of vulcanizing the green tire accompanied by preheated rigid core 3A using the vulcanizing mold 4; and a cooling step S5 of cooling the rigid core accompanied by vulcanized tire 3B which has a vulcanized tire 2B made by vulcanizing the green tire 2A by use of a cooling device 6.